Posi-Bendr Bow-Easy

The Posi-Bendr Bow-Easy is a simple yet handy invention for tying the perfect bow quickly and easily. Before I get into my review of the Bow-Easy, allow me the indulgence of a bit of reminiscing about the woman behind this tool. After all, the crafting industry is a personal one; paper and glue bond more than our cards together.

Valera Scott has been in the crafting industry for 40 years and has shaped the industry in amazing ways. She has so many wonderful stories to tell. In a brief e-mail interview she mused about the early days of crafting: “The first trade show we had shown the Bow-Easy at was the HIA (now CHA) show in Chicago in about 1982. They had a one day consumer show the Saturday prior to the Trade Show opening on Sunday. That HIA show was also the first show to introduce the use of using embossing powders with ink and rubber stamps. I remember it was extremely hard to get Ranger (then the predominant embossing powder house in the country) to even sell to us. They had no idea what this “Craft Industry” thing was and really were not interested in participating. As with many of our inventions, we were about a decade too early. Needless to say, we could not get the “craft stores” interested. It was just too different at that time.”

The invention of the Bow-Easy came about in 1980 when Valera was only 10 years old and crafting with her mother Betty Scott. As they sat making hundreds of very small bows for a charity project, the invention of the Bow-Easy dawned upon Betty.

Stamp by Toodles & Binks

How It Works
The Bow-Easy is a flat, plastic slotted tool about 4.5×4.5 inches square. It goes beyond dowel and fingers to not only be an extra hand for you as you loop ribbon into a bow, but also to help shape the bow into a perfect pretty little thing.

I admit I had quite the time figuring the instructions out. I am a visual learner and the 2D illustrations and written instructions got me quite confused. I was ready to give up but then I saw Jerri Jimenez’s Video Tutorial, and Sharon Johnson’s wonderful Picture Tutorial. When you realize that each “leg” is a loop of your bow, and the middle slot is where the knot will be, it is a lot easier to understand. You are looping around the whole leg (both sets) then dividing the large loop into a bow by running a tail of ribbon through the center slot. As I make bows “rabbit ears” style, which starts with two loops, this concept was hard for me to grasp at first.

Pros:

Gorgeous Bows – even teeny tiny ones look perfect!

Double and triple loop bows

Inexpensive

Made of sturdy plastic that will last

Cons:

Legs not marked for size

Written instructions were difficult for me to follow

I do recommend practicing on some cheap ribbon that you do not mind ruining until you get the hang of it. Once I figured out how to use it, I fell in love with the Bow-Easy. I admit to being a previously bow-challenged kind of crafter. No longer do I need to tinker and pull and twist forever to make a bow look pretty. Yay! While the instructions say that you are limited to up to 3/4 width ribbon, I found that one set of legs allowed for 1 1/2 inch wide ribbon or even wider if you scrunch it temporarily. Posi-Bendr now makes a larger Bow-Easy that will make larger flat bows in 4, 5, 6 and 8 inch sizes.

The original Bow-Easy retails for $6; the larger Bow-Easy #2 retails for $10.

Thanks Suzy for this informative article!I’ve heard of Bow Easy before but always thought they looked too difficult to use. I’m a knotter rather than a bower but on occasion I have turned my project upside down for a bow (mine always turn out upside down for some reason!).Would love a chance to win this “contraption” and learn to tie more bows!

I have a BowEasy years ago that I bought on a whim. Figured, it’s only $5, and it was at a very small stamp convention, that’s the small part I can do for that small booth.

Trust me, the first month, I’ve gotten so much use out of it, it’s not even funny. You’re right the instructions are in Greek, and definitely needed more help on that. But, once you figured it out, it is quite nifty and helpful.

I just pretty much tie my bows like you would tie your shoes. I must admit that most of my bows are just not very professional looking. I really have a hard time making them look the same twice….so I don’t put two on the same card. LOLThis little gadget looks like it would be very handy….I would like to give it a try.

I cannot tie a bow and I see these wonderful, big, perfect bows and I’m saying HOW do they do that? So right now I am using a cardboard template from another crafter and I’m getting by. I practice everyday but I’m hopeless.

Bow tying makes me CRAZY. I have arthritis in my hands and I can NEVER seem to get hold of the end that has to come through the loop. This would be the answer to my bow-tying problems. I’m so glad you introduced it. Thanks.

I used my fingers … the like 10 minuts trying to give the perfect form hehehehe… but I hear before about the bow-easy and I love it.. I hope I can be lucky this time because I really.. really love it!!!!!!!!

Right out of high school, I worked in a flower shop and learned to make bows for flower arrangements. Not the kind to put on a card. When I had a daughter, I learned to make hair bows. Again, not the kind to put on a card. I have never been successful making the kind of bows to put on cards so I rarely put a bow on a card…even when it could use one! This would be a great addition to my bow-making skills! (Napoleon Dynamite reference! LOL)

I fail miserably at bows!! I use the rabbit ears technique and they just don’t come out even. One loop is up top and the other is below~! It just doesn’t look right. I try to use pre-tied bows in a coordinating ribbon to what I am using…

The only way I can make a GOOD looking bow, with all the right sides bent and showing the right way, is the make a loop of ribbon, cinch it in the middle with a glue dot. Attach 2 tails with glue dots and then wrap the middle piece around and attach with a glue dot. It would be so nice to be able to just TIE a bow.

If Suzy loves this, I’m sold!! I spend so much time on my bows trying to make them perfect. It would be awesome to be able to make one without fussing so much. Keeping my fingers crossed!! thanks for the opportunity to win. hugsSharon

I actually have one of these but could never figure out the instructions. I will defintely check out the video and pictures! Thanks sooooo much for posting this or otherwise it would of just sat in a drawer because I couldn’t figure it out!! Off to check out the video!!

This is a really cool idea!The way I make my bows right now I make two loops (the rabbit ears of the bow) and pull them thru each other – like you would for a little girl’s fancy dress bow. If I tie a “shoelace” bow, I need to do it upside down so the tails both come out on the same side.Either way, I have to fiddle with the bow for a while until it looks right.

The occasional bow that I tie is done by tying as on would tie a shoe string. I don’t use bows often as they are not easy to do freehand. But once in awhile a card calls for one and I do my best. Having a tool such as this would make things so much easier.

I simply tie them with my fingers. I don’t make a lot of small bows because it’s too hard. Larger bows, for projects other than cards, I make the way they do in a floral shop, where I learned from my mother to make them. Would LOVE to try this new product, though!!!

Oh my…do I ever need one of these!!!! I am sooooooooooo bow making challenged! I can do bows that are tied, untied, tied, untied…you know what I mean!I avoid making bows as much as possible, so pleaseeeeeee pick me!Jan Castle

Tie them with my fingers…then I twist, scrunch, untie, retie, and then sigh and stick it on anyway! This looks like a very easy to use, easy to store bow maker!If I am not lucky enough to win, I will be difinitely looking into getting one!Diane Cooperdiane7@rogers.com

If it’s for a basket, etc. I make sure it is wired ribbon so that I can scrunch it up to make it look presentable. If it’s for a card or scrapbooking, I just don’t do bows because they never look nice. I do knots.

What a relief to read that i’m not the only one struggeling with her bows!I attempt to make my the bunny ears way, and till now 6 out of 10 bows that get the okay was good enough for me, but if the P-B-B-E is as good as it looks, it’s on MY wishlist.Thanks for the review.

I’ve always made bows the way I was taught when I was a floral designer – in my hand, then wrapping thin wire around the center. I’ve made hundreds that way. The Bow-Easy should make that process much easier!

Oh, wow! I have just been tying my bows, and retying, and retying and retying, trying to get one that looks good, usually with no luck, so I just give up and put it on myproject anyway or just tie a knot and use that. This looks like it has a learning curve but those bows are awesome. thanks for the opportunity to win.carolyn sceashark at aol dot com

How do I make bows? With a lot of screaming, hair pulling, weeping and nashing of teeth. I finally rip it apart, throw it out and go buy one. I can never get then right. This sounds like a lovely little tool.

hmmm..well, I usually am putting mine on cards so very often I will cheat and use two pieces of ribbon and a brad. One long piece gets attached to the card and the other gets attached to the other piece of ribbon and card. And then I tie a quick know….loopy bows are my downfall!

Oh man, could I use one of these. I am so bow challenged that I normally do not put bows on my cards. When I do I fuss for so long I wonder why I even tried to do it in the first place. This looks like a must have for someone like me! LOL.

Tying a bow with my hands can be difficult. I usually try to tie the bow as you would teach a young child to tie their shoe…..make 2 loops, cross them over each other and tie a know. Then you have to adjust for the size.

How nice that they would send some to give away. I am less embarrassed to say now that you also use the “rabbit ears” way to tie bows. I never did learn how to tie my shoes the old fashioned way everyone else does. I so need this bow maker!!!

omgosh, I tie a bow then untie it, tie it again and untie it, tie it again….this can go on for an hour because I am terrible at tying bows! I usually end up giving up and tying a knot because my bows look so sad. I would love to own one of these handy tools, I know I would use it all the time!

I can’t tie a bow to save my life…..LOL It’s a big joke in the family. I’m the craft person and can not manage to tie a decent bow. I guess that comes from having boys and they don’t really like bows. Even if I don’t win, this nifty little tool is definately going to end up in my craft room.

I use the “rabbit ear” method as you stated you do. I found that was the easiest for me. Most of the time I just tie a knot. I love the pretty bows on cards, but am bow challenged. Would love to try this helper out!

Hi Suzy,Yes, I’m like you, I use what you call the rabbit ears method – two loops, and then cross one over the other and then around and under, through the hole, just as if you were starting to tie shoe laces. I’m sure that the Posi-Bendr Bow-Easy makes much prettier bows. Looking at Jerri’s and Sharon’s posts on the subject I love that you can make double looped bows too.Anne P. dinkuminkum at yahoo dot co dot nz.

I have carpal and arthritis so have a hard time with small bows. I end up cutting a length of ribbon and tying it around the base ribbon. Doesn’t quite make a bow, but looks ok. I make big bows (1 1/2-4″ ribbon) in my hands the old fashioned way. I’d love to try this one. If I don’t win, guess I’ll have to buy one. Thanks for keeping us up on all the new stuff!

I tie bows like I do my shoes but at times I make Faux Bows just to avoid the hassle. I too am a visual learner. Thank you so much for the video…going to check out that Canadian store you mentionned. Thanks!

I make bows with great frustration!!! Sometimes not getting one made. I’ve been wanting one of these bow-easy things for awhile now, but could not find out where to buy it!!! Thanks for the chance to win one!!

I am so bow challenged that I hardly ever make them unless their shoe-string bows some other super simple one. I love those multi-loop bows, but have NEVER made one. I LOVE to win a Bow Easy…thanks for a chance!

I am a bow making challenged crafter….I have tried many different ways and usually without much success. I have given up and usually just do a knot all by it self or place some other type of embellishment on top. Would love to try this! formeitsthree at yahoo dot com

I have a drawer full of bow making gadgets… buy them, try them, throw them in the drawer and back to the manual method of doing them by hand but never quite pleased with the end result… so this tool would be so helpful!

I am left handed and so bow challenged. I have a sister that can make great bows, but I’m pitiful. I have to work and work to get it right. I usually do the ‘rabbit ears’ method and re-do it a dozen times. geeze…

I’ve been watching the Bow Easy on blogs and am now wanting it badly!! I love the look of the sweet bows on your cards Susie! And on other projects that I’ve seen too. Thanks much to craft critque for the chance to win! 🙂

count me in as bow making challenged as well…if a project absolutely must have a bow I do it the same way I learned to tie my shoes and then fiddle around with it until it looks decent …this tool is very cool , I sure would love to win one …

Well, I make my bows with some difficulty! IN fact, at my last card making class I asked the teacher to tie my bow! LOL! I would love to win one of these, and if I don’t win, I might just have to buy one!

I was taught to make a bow by a older man when I worked at a flower shop. I start in the center, loop and twist until my bow is large enough for the package. Then I tie with a floral wire. As for a flat bow-I think I can tie a great one. “You just have to hold you mouth just right”! LOLLolalfields624@comcast.net

Well, I do my bows the slow way! LOL! To start, I make my bow as normal…just like tying a shoe. Then, I will pull it out and tighten it back up until I have the shape and size I desire. It is tedious work but it makes for great bows! I have heard of the bow easy and would love to give it a try. Thanks for the review and chance to win! Katie

This is awesome! I don’t do bows, period! I grab a bunch of ribbon and have a friend of mine make them for me and if I don’t have what I need then it gets left off. This would be great to have so that I can make my own bows without begging someone else to do it for me! lol 🙂

when I started making bows was when I wear a “bow” blouse, I always tied very good bows, my friends would admire them, but when they asked me how I did it and teach them, I did not know how to show them, because I had to wear the shirt on and where and how I could do it, other than that I always mess up, just like I do it when it is on the card. I do a lot of bows when I make cards, but very depends on luck, I wish I can win the Bow-Easy that makes this task easy, thanks for the chance.I can’t wait to try to see how easy it might help.

I use the rabbit ears method, but then must fuss and fiddle until the bow looks right. One of my friends has a Bow-Easy, so often during a stamping class I just hand my ribbon to her. Don’t have to say a word!

I’ve seen this product before, but it looked to confusing to use. Now that I’ve watched the video tutorial, I see how simple bow construction can be. Wow! I’m a make-a-bow-like-you-tie-your-shoes, and I can make a pretty decent bow. That doesn’t mean that I enjoy it. I would love to win a Bow-Easy, but if I don’t, I’m sure I will be buying one in the future.

This item looks very interesting. Cuttently I either make a bow without any tool, or use a dowel type tool I purchased from the “paper ladies”, I think that is the name. Last I heard, they are no longer in business due to a home fire. This item has many more options than the one I am currently using. Sometimes it is a struggle, other times I luck out and end up with the perfect bow. It is frustrating either way, considering the time taken to create the bows.

Bows… I’m still learning how to tie a nice knot with my ribbon. I can honestly say that I have only tied one bow on a card and that was the kind where you put a flat piece of ribbon across the card and make a bow by folding the ribbon and wrapping a separate piece around the center. Not the easies method, but hey… what’s a girl to do without a Bow-Easy!

Can I just say that I don’t make bows! I either do a knot or I do not do anything and just put a flat length of ribbon. I have tried the rabbit ear method, which does work for me, but it wastes so much ribbon because I obviously don’t know what I am doing. LOL This Bow Easy would open soooo many opportunities for me! Win or not, I’ve got to have one!

I have never ever been able to make a good bow. 🙁 I have only ever used my hands or borrowed a friend’s finger for the middle part (and consequently tying their finger in the process). I guess I am bow-impaired. 🙂tina

I learned how to tie bows from a show called Chez Helene I watched when I was a wee little girl.Loop one end, loop the other, tie the two together as you would a knot – still make my bows this way and can’t do it any other – not bad bows if I’m crafting but I look sort of dorky when I’m tying sneakers. Perhaps I should get my grandson to teach me. lol